Windows Development Environment Worth the Higher Price?

I made the move from Linux to Windows development, I’m a little surprised with the cost of everything, and wondering if it’s worth it: MSDN, Telerik, Windows 7, ViEmu, Visual Studio, Expression Bland and SQL Server. I know that not every developer needs all of the above tools. Has anyone just written C# code without Visual Studio? In the past, I’ve been a part of large Linux software projects without needing to pay for a development tool. If I was starting a new wed application project and had the ability to hire expert developers in any language, should I choose Windows, regardless of the higher cost?

Hmmmm if you're happy developing in C you can use LLC which is a free C compiler (and doesn't need Mingw, CigWin or whatever) for Windows.
BUT the big advantage of the MS Visual Studio is that it has the best IDE going and the Express editions of VS are free (but are NOT supposed to be for commercial purposes - so the license is restrictive compared to GLCs etc.)
Allan